What Shows Up on a Background Check?

If you have any run-ins with the wrong side of the law, you may find yourself
wondering, “Will any of it show up on a background check?”
and for good reason. If you’re like a lot of people, you don’t
fully understand what is reported by the authorities and what’s
included in a criminal record. “Does a criminal record only consist
of convictions, or does it include arrests and charges that did not result
in a conviction?”

A criminal record contains far more than just convictions. It includes
information relating to arrests, formal criminal charges, and of course,
criminal convictions. Criminal records are particularly bothersome because
they do come up when employers run background checks on applicants.

What Comes Up on a Background Check?

If you’re worried about current or future employment, you’re
probably concerned about what will show up on a background check –
and you should be. Employers are in the practice of running background
checks to determine if an applicant is suitable and does not raise any
red flags.

When such offenses turn up on a standard background check, the typical
automatic response of employers is to think the applicant might have violent
tendencies, a drug or alcohol problem, or the applicant cannot be trusted
and may steal from them. If the employer’s worst fears are realized,
they could face workplace violence, a civil lawsuit, or they could be
stolen from.

Criminal records have a way of causing employers to “imagine the
worst,” and often this leads them to say, “Thanks for applying,
but no thanks” even if the arrest or conviction was an isolated
incident and the applicant has the best intentions. The following types
of information comes up on a background check:

Arrests

Criminal charges

Convictions

DUI convictions

Credit scores

Bankruptcies

Employment history

Marriages

Divorces

Education

Certifications

Social Security numbers

Professional licenses

Other financial information

If an employer, the Armed Forces, or a government agency runs a background
check on you for the purpose of employment or granting security clearance,
your criminal record history will turn up. Your criminal record will reveal
detailed information about you and your dealings with law enforcement,
including any arrests, criminal charges, civil infractions, traffic tickets,
misdemeanor or felony convictions, community supervision or parole.

Generally, your criminal record will contain the same information as what
the police have on file, but that’s not always the case. If you’re
curious, you can go to the police department that you dealt with and see
what they have on file about you. The police and court records may be
far more extensive than what shows up on an employer background check.

Can a Criminal Record Haunt Me?

Criminal records are serious matters and they can haunt you for years to
come. Just ask anyone who’s been convicted of a crime and have them
tell you how it’s affected their housing and employment opportunities.
Depending on your conviction, you may not be able to obtain a student
loan or a scholarship. You may not be able to attend certain schools.
You may be denied a professional license, such as a real estate license,
a nursing license or a notary license.

You may not be able to obtain a loan from a bank, or even travel to another
country, including Canada. If you want to work for the government or as
a government contractor, you may be denied security clearance, even if
your conviction was for something like DUI or aggravated assault (from
a seemingly harmless bar fight).

Benefits of a Florida Expunction

If you have a criminal record, we highly recommend seeking an expunction under
Section 943.0585 of the Florida Statutes. Some of the benefits of a Florida expunction
include: 1) makes it easier to find a job, 2) assistance obtaining a professional
license, 3) assistance with housing, and lastly 4) personal satisfaction
knowing you’ve done all you can do to address your mistake and put
the past behind you.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.